A Woman's World? Jackson Grace RP for X*Crown Match
Jan 17, 2018 4:41:12 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, 𝓓𝓾𝓴𝓮 𝓚𝓸𝓼𝓵𝓸𝓯𝓯, and 1 more like this
Post by Jackson Grace on Jan 17, 2018 4:41:12 GMT -5
We start backstage. A tired, sweaty Jackson Grace sits holding his head in his hands after his loss to Lethe tonight. His Coldwars Championship gone in an instant. After an hour at war with the current FWA Firestorm Champion, it all came down to one perfectly executed Tornado DDT, sending him right onto the top of his head and the rest was for the history books. He starts to get ready to leave the arena and head home when Vanessa runs into the changing room. No words are spoken. They just hug. Tightly. It seems to last forever as silence is around the room, when in reality it's maybe ten seconds. The loss has clearly taken a huge emotional toll on both of them.
Baby, I just want you to know how proud I am of you tonight.
I told you to keep the kids away toni-
I did. They're still at home. I got a sitter so I could come out and see you tonight. I figured you'd appreciate the surprise after the dilemma you were having about fighting Lethe.
Yeah. Then after all that, it comes down to Rob Wyatt getting into the mix. A man who has no damn business being here in FWA, given the fact he can't string two wins together. You know, I'm beginning to wonder whether there's more to it...
How so?
Well since night one...The night I won the Coldwars Championship, Rob Wyatt has been Mr Kos.....Duke's hired gun. He's been the guy he sent after people to do his dirty work. Duke's own personal eliminator, if you will. He took Lethe out of the tournament and hasn't been seen far from the Connection since.
You don't think...
I don't want to! It's just nagging at me. It's just seeming more and more likely each week that Duke is sending someone after me!
But why would he do that?
Hell if I know! I don't know what I did to upset that overgrown Russian buffoon, but for some reason it's feeling like he is turning against me! The two people in the ring at the end of tonight were the two people that Wyatt has concerned himself with since day one! The question is....
Is someone putting him up to it, or is it of his own free will?
Exactly!
But baby, I want you to know I was so proud of what you did out there! You fought the good fight. That could have gone either way, to the point I thought the whole thing would end in a tie! Any other night, that could have gone a different way!
Yeah, maybe it could. It was one solid offense from Lethe and the next thing I know, I'm looking up at the lights and unable to kick out. But a tie....
Who wants a damn tie?!
Come on....Let's get out of here. I want to go see the kids!
Jackson finishes fastening his coat, grabs his bag and instinctively goes to grab his Coldwars Championship Belt from the peg he hangs it on. He was always respectful of the Title not touching the ground or being left around. His hand finds nothing but the wall, bringing home the realization that he has fallen. He has been defeated in FWA and his Coldwars Title now belongs to Lethe....
Oh...
Jackson looks dejected. He bites his lip to conceal the emotion of the moment as he realizes that his 100% win record, his Coldwars Championship and the pay that came with being a Champion are gone....Just like that. Vanessa takes his hand and smiles at him, leading him out of the room. Home...
We come back to shot in the Grace household in London. It's the day after the show and the kids are in bed. Jackson and Vanessa are snuggled up on the sofa watching the latest episode of Doctor Who. It took a little while to catch up on it with tending to the business and training for upcoming FWA shows. The now infamous re-generation scene occurs as we see Peter Capaldi become Jody Whittaker. The event Doctor Who fans have been debating for months, about whether a woman was fit to be The Doctor.
So I guess they did it! You know, this could be great for the show!
Yeah! It's great to see change and you know what? It's high time they show that a woman can be just as goo-
An awkward silence falls. Following the loss to Lethe, Vanessa isn't sure how to make that point without touching a nerve. The silence lasts a while as it appears Jackson didn't take it too well, either. As if by magic, Anthony comes into the living room, looking tired. Jackson sits upright, breaking the cuddle with Vanessa and heads to Anthony, leading him back up the stairs.
Come on, buddy. You're meant to be asleep!
I know, but I heard your voice....I've missed you, Dad! How did it go?
Well, son. I lost. Your old man got beat.
By a girl?
...
Dad?
Yeah, son?
I'm still proud of you!
Anthony hugs Jackson tightly and Jackson picks him up to return the sentiment. As he does, a single, solitary tear runs down Jackson's cheek. It's meant the world to hear this from one of his kids. He does this for them, he wanted to win all the time and thought that's why his kids were proud. Turns out it's not the fact he's winning that made them proud...It's that he's out there on TV fighting the good fight.
Jackson puts Anthony back to bed, kissing him on the forehead and wishing him a good night before headed back down the stairs. As he does, his phone buzzes. Checking it, he sees the two BREAKING NEWS FWA announcements. One stating that Lethe was stripped of the Coldwars Championship due to a by-law not allowing double Champions....The next is the announcement that AK Andrews will not be able to compete in the X*Crown Throne of Blood matchup at Supremacy. His replacement? One Jackson Grace! Jackson heads into the living room with a smile on his face.
You really did just need to see the kids then, huh?
Definitely! That and I just got bittersweet news.
Go on...
Well first the bad news: Lethe got stripped of the Coldwars Title.
What, really?! Surely, they'll give it back to you then?
First of all I don't take handouts! If I want that title, I need to win it again! But not only will they not just hand it back, that's probably my rematch gone up in smoke, too!
Damn! Well...you said there was good news?
Yeah, erm...AK Andrews had to pull out of the X*Crown Championship Match at Supremacy.
What's the X*Crown?
It's the title that's compromised of eighteen different World Championships. When a promotion closes, the final World Champion has the option to add their World Championship to the X*Crown in exchange for a shot at the X*Crown Champion.
Oh, that's what that Diamond guy was talking about, right?
Yeah, that one! Well I've been added as his replacement! I got a chance to fight for the most prestigious Championship in the XHF Network!
That's great news! Who are you facing?
Who am I not facing is probably a better question. Seriously! It's a bit of a who's who of non-Champions in the XHF. From Hyperion from AWF, to the current Champion Curtis Kanyon, to older XHF guys like Michael Storm, to everyone in between!
Storm...I'm sure I know that name!
What, really?
Yeah...I thought I heard something about him retiring? He had CTE from too many head impacts! That's him!
CTE? That's the concussion syndrome, right?
Yeah, it's pretty serious stuff! They think he's taken years off his life competing in over the top extreme matches for so long! So coming back is a bit of a risk! Thank God you're just in a regular match up, right?
Haha....yeah...
It's past midnight and Jackson and Vanessa are in bed. Vanessa is sound asleep. The weekend has taken it's toll on her. Jackson is wide awake and just can't get the conversation about Michael Storm out of his head. The thought a man can know his life has been significantly shortened by doing what he does, yet he goes back for more. Does the man have no family? No kids? Jackson starts speaking his thoughts out quietly to himself.
What if that happens to me? I took a hell of a head impact back there in Russia. I haven't noticed any signs of concussion, but that isn't to say it's not there. What if I'm doing this to myself? I may never see the kids grow up...Get married...I may not be mentally "there" enough to enjoy being a Grandad. Sure, winning each match every week was a great ride, but is it time for me to get off? Is it time to say enough is enough? I mean the house is paid up, I don't need to do this now. I don't need to risk my livelyhood to pay the bills. I could go back to the shop and live comfortably. We have a few quid in the bank from the shows I've done.
Jackson decides to muse elsewhere and grabs his cup, heading downstairs to make a brew. Putting the kettle on, he continues to think out loud.
Would it make me a quitter to stop now? To put my family first? Vanessa doesn't even know the match is a Throne of Blood match! Sure, all I have to do technically is sit on the Throne to win the match, but we all know it won't be that easy. Violence is going to be how this match goes down, especially if we have guys in there that are known for competing to excess. Guys that profess themself as Gods...Maybe Hyperion already took one hit too many...What is he's also suffering the effects? Hell, she doesn't even know the match is with a "half-man-half-bear!" What even is that?! Could I get eaten alive right there in the ring?! That's worse than becoming mentally handicapped by head trauma! Sure, we also have James Raymond, the new guy heading into that match with me from FWA, but is he still an ally? Is he someone I can count on? I'm doubting it! He seems a shifty character. One I will have to go through in order to get the win, here. Duke even hedged his bets by having Alexis Grace...Ha...fun surname....Enter through SSS, the women's place. Is he going to send her after me, too?
Jackson pours his drink, taking it through into the garage. He's done so much pondering here over the years. When he started the business, this is where he came to worry about finances, unsure if he could keep the family afloat financially, without Vanessa having to worry about it. He puts his drink on top of the car.
One thing I need to do is focus on this match. I have a chance of holding the most prestigious Championship in the XHF. I have a chance from going from Champion, to belt-less and back right to the top! Not even in FWA. The CTE stuff will take years of beatings. I can get out of this damn business, by then! I can do this! When you hold that title, Duke has to stop sending people after me! The prestige it would bring to FWA would mean he had to protect me due to increases of ticket sales and people wanting to meet the true Champion! That's it!
Jackson takes a sip of his drink, staring out as if he's seen something miles away, yet his vision doesn't even extend beyond the garage door. He sets his drink back down and opens the boot of the car.
So it's set. I take out the other guys, I do everything within my power to become the holder of the X*Crown! Then when I get back?
We see inside the boot...It's the gear Jackson wears when he goes out "hunting" as he calls it.
When I get back...Duke, Levi and the Soviet Connection are going to find out how it feels when their greed is used against them!
Yeah. Then after all that, it comes down to Rob Wyatt getting into the mix. A man who has no damn business being here in FWA, given the fact he can't string two wins together. You know, I'm beginning to wonder whether there's more to it...
How so?
Well since night one...The night I won the Coldwars Championship, Rob Wyatt has been Mr Kos.....Duke's hired gun. He's been the guy he sent after people to do his dirty work. Duke's own personal eliminator, if you will. He took Lethe out of the tournament and hasn't been seen far from the Connection since.
You don't think...
I don't want to! It's just nagging at me. It's just seeming more and more likely each week that Duke is sending someone after me!
But why would he do that?
Hell if I know! I don't know what I did to upset that overgrown Russian buffoon, but for some reason it's feeling like he is turning against me! The two people in the ring at the end of tonight were the two people that Wyatt has concerned himself with since day one! The question is....
Is someone putting him up to it, or is it of his own free will?
Exactly!
But baby, I want you to know I was so proud of what you did out there! You fought the good fight. That could have gone either way, to the point I thought the whole thing would end in a tie! Any other night, that could have gone a different way!
Yeah, maybe it could. It was one solid offense from Lethe and the next thing I know, I'm looking up at the lights and unable to kick out. But a tie....
Who wants a damn tie?!
Come on....Let's get out of here. I want to go see the kids!
Jackson finishes fastening his coat, grabs his bag and instinctively goes to grab his Coldwars Championship Belt from the peg he hangs it on. He was always respectful of the Title not touching the ground or being left around. His hand finds nothing but the wall, bringing home the realization that he has fallen. He has been defeated in FWA and his Coldwars Title now belongs to Lethe....
Oh...
Jackson looks dejected. He bites his lip to conceal the emotion of the moment as he realizes that his 100% win record, his Coldwars Championship and the pay that came with being a Champion are gone....Just like that. Vanessa takes his hand and smiles at him, leading him out of the room. Home...
We come back to shot in the Grace household in London. It's the day after the show and the kids are in bed. Jackson and Vanessa are snuggled up on the sofa watching the latest episode of Doctor Who. It took a little while to catch up on it with tending to the business and training for upcoming FWA shows. The now infamous re-generation scene occurs as we see Peter Capaldi become Jody Whittaker. The event Doctor Who fans have been debating for months, about whether a woman was fit to be The Doctor.
So I guess they did it! You know, this could be great for the show!
Yeah! It's great to see change and you know what? It's high time they show that a woman can be just as goo-
An awkward silence falls. Following the loss to Lethe, Vanessa isn't sure how to make that point without touching a nerve. The silence lasts a while as it appears Jackson didn't take it too well, either. As if by magic, Anthony comes into the living room, looking tired. Jackson sits upright, breaking the cuddle with Vanessa and heads to Anthony, leading him back up the stairs.
Come on, buddy. You're meant to be asleep!
I know, but I heard your voice....I've missed you, Dad! How did it go?
Well, son. I lost. Your old man got beat.
By a girl?
...
Dad?
Yeah, son?
I'm still proud of you!
Anthony hugs Jackson tightly and Jackson picks him up to return the sentiment. As he does, a single, solitary tear runs down Jackson's cheek. It's meant the world to hear this from one of his kids. He does this for them, he wanted to win all the time and thought that's why his kids were proud. Turns out it's not the fact he's winning that made them proud...It's that he's out there on TV fighting the good fight.
Jackson puts Anthony back to bed, kissing him on the forehead and wishing him a good night before headed back down the stairs. As he does, his phone buzzes. Checking it, he sees the two BREAKING NEWS FWA announcements. One stating that Lethe was stripped of the Coldwars Championship due to a by-law not allowing double Champions....The next is the announcement that AK Andrews will not be able to compete in the X*Crown Throne of Blood matchup at Supremacy. His replacement? One Jackson Grace! Jackson heads into the living room with a smile on his face.
You really did just need to see the kids then, huh?
Definitely! That and I just got bittersweet news.
Go on...
Well first the bad news: Lethe got stripped of the Coldwars Title.
What, really?! Surely, they'll give it back to you then?
First of all I don't take handouts! If I want that title, I need to win it again! But not only will they not just hand it back, that's probably my rematch gone up in smoke, too!
Damn! Well...you said there was good news?
Yeah, erm...AK Andrews had to pull out of the X*Crown Championship Match at Supremacy.
What's the X*Crown?
It's the title that's compromised of eighteen different World Championships. When a promotion closes, the final World Champion has the option to add their World Championship to the X*Crown in exchange for a shot at the X*Crown Champion.
Oh, that's what that Diamond guy was talking about, right?
Yeah, that one! Well I've been added as his replacement! I got a chance to fight for the most prestigious Championship in the XHF Network!
That's great news! Who are you facing?
Who am I not facing is probably a better question. Seriously! It's a bit of a who's who of non-Champions in the XHF. From Hyperion from AWF, to the current Champion Curtis Kanyon, to older XHF guys like Michael Storm, to everyone in between!
Storm...I'm sure I know that name!
What, really?
Yeah...I thought I heard something about him retiring? He had CTE from too many head impacts! That's him!
CTE? That's the concussion syndrome, right?
Yeah, it's pretty serious stuff! They think he's taken years off his life competing in over the top extreme matches for so long! So coming back is a bit of a risk! Thank God you're just in a regular match up, right?
Haha....yeah...
It's past midnight and Jackson and Vanessa are in bed. Vanessa is sound asleep. The weekend has taken it's toll on her. Jackson is wide awake and just can't get the conversation about Michael Storm out of his head. The thought a man can know his life has been significantly shortened by doing what he does, yet he goes back for more. Does the man have no family? No kids? Jackson starts speaking his thoughts out quietly to himself.
What if that happens to me? I took a hell of a head impact back there in Russia. I haven't noticed any signs of concussion, but that isn't to say it's not there. What if I'm doing this to myself? I may never see the kids grow up...Get married...I may not be mentally "there" enough to enjoy being a Grandad. Sure, winning each match every week was a great ride, but is it time for me to get off? Is it time to say enough is enough? I mean the house is paid up, I don't need to do this now. I don't need to risk my livelyhood to pay the bills. I could go back to the shop and live comfortably. We have a few quid in the bank from the shows I've done.
Jackson decides to muse elsewhere and grabs his cup, heading downstairs to make a brew. Putting the kettle on, he continues to think out loud.
Would it make me a quitter to stop now? To put my family first? Vanessa doesn't even know the match is a Throne of Blood match! Sure, all I have to do technically is sit on the Throne to win the match, but we all know it won't be that easy. Violence is going to be how this match goes down, especially if we have guys in there that are known for competing to excess. Guys that profess themself as Gods...Maybe Hyperion already took one hit too many...What is he's also suffering the effects? Hell, she doesn't even know the match is with a "half-man-half-bear!" What even is that?! Could I get eaten alive right there in the ring?! That's worse than becoming mentally handicapped by head trauma! Sure, we also have James Raymond, the new guy heading into that match with me from FWA, but is he still an ally? Is he someone I can count on? I'm doubting it! He seems a shifty character. One I will have to go through in order to get the win, here. Duke even hedged his bets by having Alexis Grace...Ha...fun surname....Enter through SSS, the women's place. Is he going to send her after me, too?
Jackson pours his drink, taking it through into the garage. He's done so much pondering here over the years. When he started the business, this is where he came to worry about finances, unsure if he could keep the family afloat financially, without Vanessa having to worry about it. He puts his drink on top of the car.
One thing I need to do is focus on this match. I have a chance of holding the most prestigious Championship in the XHF. I have a chance from going from Champion, to belt-less and back right to the top! Not even in FWA. The CTE stuff will take years of beatings. I can get out of this damn business, by then! I can do this! When you hold that title, Duke has to stop sending people after me! The prestige it would bring to FWA would mean he had to protect me due to increases of ticket sales and people wanting to meet the true Champion! That's it!
Jackson takes a sip of his drink, staring out as if he's seen something miles away, yet his vision doesn't even extend beyond the garage door. He sets his drink back down and opens the boot of the car.
So it's set. I take out the other guys, I do everything within my power to become the holder of the X*Crown! Then when I get back?
We see inside the boot...It's the gear Jackson wears when he goes out "hunting" as he calls it.
When I get back...Duke, Levi and the Soviet Connection are going to find out how it feels when their greed is used against them!